The Rise of the Independent Voter
Independent voters
make up nearly a
majority of Americans.
The trend
is increasing
Especially among
younger voters
and
Hispanic Voters
For the first time, there are fewer registered Republicans than independents.
There is a very powerful independent streak that runs through the United States. Despite the perception that Democrats and Republicans are "in power," the reality is that they are outnumbered by independent voters.
In 19 states, voter registration does NOT request or require voters to specify any form of party membership. Everyone in these states is legally an independent or unaffiliated voter.
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Hawai'i
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
The remaining 31 states permit voters to specify a party affiliation OR NOT.
In the following states more voters have chosen to register to vote as independent (unaffiliated, non-partisan, no party preference) than either the Democratic or Republican parties.
- Alaska (56.8%)
- Arkansas (89.2%)
- Colorado (38.1%)
- Connecticut (40.8%)
- Massachusetts (56.9%)
- New Hampshire (37.1%)
- Rhode Island (43%)
Arguably, Oregon could be added to the above list if you add together the members of the Oregon Independent Party and the voters who are registered as unaffiliated or no party preference.
In the following states, which are dominated by Democrats, independent (unaffiliated) voters outnumber Republicans.
- California
- Maine
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
In the following states, which are dominated by Republicans, independent (unaffiliated) voters outnumber Democrats.
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Utah
The main reason that Democrats and Republicans hold office is because independent voters have failed to properly organize. We have the numbers. We just need to "get our shit together."
Once we realize that, for the good of the country, we have to say goodbye to the two-party duopoly, it will crumble and be blown away like dust in the wind.
Once we realize that, for the good of the country, we have to say goodbye to the two-party duopoly, it will crumble and be blown away like dust in the wind.
Voter registration statistics are constantly changing. The chart below is at least 2 years old, but it is accurate enough to make the point that voters who register as independent or unaffiliated are a force to be reckoned with. Since the chart below was created, the number of registered independent voters has exceeded the number of registered Republicans for the first time in recorded history.
*The chart below is approximately 2 years old. "Total RV's" are registered voters. Independent voter totals have increased since the chart was created.
Source for the above chart:
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_rhodes_cook/registering_by_party_where_the_democrats_and_republicans_are_ahead
https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_rhodes_cook/registering_by_party_where_the_democrats_and_republicans_are_ahead
Sources: Recent party registration numbers used here are from state election websites and are based on totals compiled in early July 2018. Registration data are as of the following months: October 2016 (Kansas and Rhode Island); February 2017 (Massachusetts); November 2017 (Connecticut); January 2018 (Oklahoma); March 2018 (Arizona and Maine); April 2018 (New Hampshire and New York); May 2018 (California, Florida, Maryland, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania); June 2018 (Arkansas, District of Columbia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, and West Virginia); and July 2018 (Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming).
Notes: In states such as Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Utah, the total number of active and inactive voters are presented on the state election website, but only the number of active registered voters is used in this article. The “other” column includes voters registered with third parties. Percentages do not always add to 100 due to rounding. Zero percent (0%) indicates less than 0.5%. “NA” indicates there were no numbers in this category.
Notes: In states such as Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Utah, the total number of active and inactive voters are presented on the state election website, but only the number of active registered voters is used in this article. The “other” column includes voters registered with third parties. Percentages do not always add to 100 due to rounding. Zero percent (0%) indicates less than 0.5%. “NA” indicates there were no numbers in this category.
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